LOCAL fashionistas know him as one of Singapore’s top stylists and fashion show producers.

What most don’t know is that Daniel Boey’s first love is the theatre.

It has takenhim14 long years to return to it. The 44-year-old told The New Paper: “I couldn’t do theatre and fashion simultaneously and excel in both.

At that time, in 1995, fashion was very new and exciting, so I chose it. But I also knew I would return to theatre.”

From next Monday, he will play uppity Parisian impresario Andre Cassell in musical comedy Victor/Victoria.

Directed by Loretta Chen, sister of local actor Edmund Chen, the narrative is set in 1930s Paris and follows an aspiring singer (played by jazz diva Laura Fygi) whose pretense of being a man who impersonates a woman is about to be exposed.

What made Daniel embrace acting again?

“Now I think I’ve enough experience to be able to deliver whatever a script requires of me. Even though it’s called acting, you have to be able to draw on life’s experiences for references. How does a 16-year-old play Macbeth convincingly?” he said.

Playing Cassell is a departure from his previous stage characters, who “die, get maimed or become mad”.

The National University of Singapore geography and literature graduate’s theatre credits include playing a suicidal bohemian in The Trial (1990) and a murderer on death row in Raw Material (1992).

New to musicals

“Musicals are new to me. The way I stand and react to fellow actors are so different from what I used to know.”

Don’t be mistaken if his character seems to be a fashion choreographer, like Daniel is in real life. (He was the official stylist and show producer of The New Paper New Face contest.)

The last thing he wants is to “play myself”.

“I’d rather do roles I’m not associated with. For Andre Cassell, I drew upon my experiences with fashion people. Andre is louder and more chi-chi than I am.”

After such a long hiatus from theatre, he is understandably apprehensive about his comeback.

Right up to a week before Victor/Victoria’s rehearsals began in September, he said he was suggesting to Loretta possible replacements.

“You never think and know it’s okay. It’s up to the director to think you’re right for the role. The more you think about it, the more nervous you get.”

It was his good friend, actress-stage director Beatrice Chia, who first lured him back to the stage with her musical Sleepless Town in May. Then Victor/Victoria came knocking, and Daniel was hooked on the script.

Perhaps the other person who is equally nervous is Dutch singer Fygi, who makes her acting debut as lead character Victoria Grant.

Daniel has nothing but praise for her: “She’s the first to admit that she’s not an actress. She didn’t expect people to adapt to her lack of experience. She was very willing to learn and asked whatever she didn’t know. This is so amazing for an international singer.”

Daniel, who says he is a conservative dresser, has also woven his fashion expertise into his theatrical work.

He helped coordinate his character’s flamboyant wardrobe.

Next month, he is signed on as fashion director for the play The Composer, directed by actress Tan Kheng Hua and writer Ken Kwek.

He is also working on a project with Beatrice and Universal Studios.

While Daniel is currently discussing future stage gigs,he is not going to rush into any.

“I don’t want to be doing five plays simultaneously. Besides, fashion is still my bread and butter. Acting will remain a hobby.”

FYI

WHAT: Victor/Victoria
WHEN: 9-29 Nov, 8pm
WHERE: Esplanade Theatre
TICKETS: $36-$160 at Sistic
(www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348 5555)

This article was first published in The New Paper.